Giff had been rather shocked to see young children allowed at the breakfast table, especially when guests had been invited. His father would never have permitted it. Giff had even disapproved. But on his way to Cleveland House, he remembered the times he’d visited his mother’s parents. Her eldest brother and his family lived in the castle along with the youngest brother and his family. As they’d been doing for centuries, everyone still broke their fast in the great hall, including the children. And his cousins had been no better behaved than the little boy whose eggs landed on the table at Worthington House. He could see his mother raise a brow at his initial reaction and question his reasons. He’d get a child, but not want it around? How, she would ask, could he possibly think such a thing was natural? The only answer, of course, was that it wasn’t. Drat it all. What was it about Lady Alice that had him questioning himself? He gave himself a shake. Of course, he might question himself. He was about to change his whole life. He’d be stupid not to look at things a bit differently.
When he arrived home and dismounted, Fergus was there to take Horace. “I heard her grace wants to see ye.”
“Thank you.” If Fergus knew then Gunn knew and was probably getting Giff’s bath ready. He wasn’t going to his mother smelling of horse again. He reached his chamber and found he’d been right. Once he’d bathed, he went to Mamma’s parlor and tapped on the door.
His mother’s maid opened the door. “Oh good. Her grace has been waiting for ye.”
“Good morning.” Mamma sat behind her desk. “I wanted to go over the next few days of entertainments with you.”
He slid into the plush chair in front of her desk. “I’m all ears.”
She gave him a doubtful look. “I will also give the list to Gunn.” She picked up one card and put it in front of him. “Tomorrow afternoon we are going to Lady Thornhill’s.” Giff nodded. “The next evening, we will attend Lady Markham’s ball.” Giff nodded again. “Two days after that is Lady Brownly’s musical evening. Do not forget and plan to be somewhere else. That is all for now.”
He didn’t know where the hell she thought he might go. He’d refused all the invitations he’d been sent. And he’d told her he’d do as she said. Something must have got under her skin. “Yes, ma’am.”
* * *
The next day Giff accompanied his mother to Lady Thornhill’s afternoon soiree. “Aren’t these things usually held in the evening?”
“It will most likely continue to early evening,” Mamma said. “A number of artists attend. I have always thought it was not just for the connections, but the food as well.”
“A charitable venture then.” Was this the type of thing to which Lady Alice had been referring?
Mamma’s eyes twinkled as if she wanted to laugh. “Something of the sort. It is a way for artists to meet patrons. Although, I have never thought of it as charity. Merely a helping hand.” She glanced at him as they entered the house. “Why do you ask?”
“Someone mentioned charitable activities to me the other day.” He was damned if he’d tell his mother about Lady Alice. She was perfectly capable of stirring the pot in the name of assisting.
Lady Thornhill greeted them as they entered her enormous drawing room. Giff was surprised when she bussed his mother’s cheek. “Mairead, it is good to see you again. Is all well with your family?”
“In general.” She drew him forward. “I’d like to present my son, theMarquisof St. Albans.”
Her ladyship gave Mamma a look of approval. “Well done, my dear.” Lady Thornhill offered her hand. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my lord.”
No curtseying then. Taking her digits in his hand, he bowed. “The pleasure is mine, my lady.”
By the sounds of it, another group came in behind them. “Your grace,” Lady Thornhill smiled at Alice and her sisters. Why the devil were they here? From the little his mother had said, this wasn’t a place for young ladies. At least that’s what he’d thought. “Allow me to introduce to you Lady Eleanor Carpenter, Lady Alice Carpenter, and Lady Madeline Vivers.” They curtseyed. “Ladies, the Duchess of Cleveland.”
“It is very nice to meet you.” His mother did not seem at all surprised they were here. “May I present my son, the Marquis of St. Albans?”
They curtseyed, and Lady Alice’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We already know his lordship.”
Mamma got a look in her eyes that did not bode well for him. “Indeed?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He cleared his throat and bowed. “We were introduced by Montagu one morning when the ladies were riding and again at Almack’s.” When his mother didn’t respond, he kept talking, “I waltzed with Lady Alice and danced with Ladies Eleanor and Madeline.”
“I see.” Mamma gave her attention back to the ladies. “I hope he entertained you.”
Why in the bloody hell-hounds had she said that?!
“Yes, your grace,” all three of them said at the same time.
At least he could take the opportunity to ask her for a set at the next ball. “Lady Alice, I’d like to ask you for the supper dance at Lady Markham’s ball.”
“I would be delighted, my lord.” Her words were what he had expected, but she didn’t sound as delighted as she should.
“Thank you.” He glanced at her sisters. “I’d like to ask you for sets as well. Whichever ones you choose.”
“The first country dance,” Lady Eleanor said.
